U.S. House committee to hold veterans meeting in Fayetteville

Goodbye Washington. Hello Fayetteville.

The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee will forego its typical meeting place on Capitol Hill later this week to host a special field hearing at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

The hearing, titled “Partnering, Payment and Provider Access: VA Community Care in North Carolina,” will begin at 10 a.m. Friday in FTCC’s General Classroom Building at 2817 Fort Bragg Road.

At least two members of the committee — chairman Rep. Phil Roe, a Tennessee Republican, and Rep. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican — are scheduled to attend. Two local congressmen, Republican Reps. Richard Hudson and Robert Pittenger, also are expected to attend.

Last week, committee officials said the oversight hearing would include a discussion of strategies to improve Department of Veterans Affairs care through community programs and assess ways to strengthen community partnerships.

Roe said the field hearing is meant to solicit ideas from outside of Washington.

“I know that every VA facility is different, and I realize that the best ideas for reform often start outside Washington, D.C.,” he said.

Hudson and Pittenger have each praised the decision to host a hearing in Fayetteville, which is home to a large veteran population tied to nearby Fort Bragg.

“As Fort Bragg’s congressman and a voice for veterans, my top priority is ensuring veterans can get the best health care when they need it,” Hudson said.

Hudson said the Choice Program, which allows veterans to seek care outside the VA system, has not always provided access to timely and quality care.

“Congress and this administration have made significant progress, but there’s still work to do,” he said.

Both Hudson’s and Pittenger’s offices routinely work with local veterans on issues related to care.

“On average, my staff is working on 500 separate cases for local veterans,” Pittenger said. “Problems with the VA Choice program – both access for patients and prompt payment for providers – are one of the top issues we hear about. This hearing will be an important opportunity to discuss necessary strategies to improve service.”